In submitting her proposed fiscal year 2014-2015 budget to the Legislature in February, Governor Maggie Hassan described it as one that “begins rebuilding” from the steep cuts in spending adopted during previous budget debates. The description is apt, for while the Governor’s budget would significantly improve funding for some critical priorities, such as higher education and mental health services, it falls short in restoring support to other areas central to the quality of life in New Hampshire and to economic security for its residents, such as aid to cities and towns or safety net programs.

NHFPI looks at the eligibility determination system and verification protocols currently used to ensure funds for New Hampshire’s Financial Assistance to Needy Families program, Medicaid and Food Stamps are used appropriately. Lawmakers are considering adding a new layer of enforcement. More specifically, HB 1658, presently before the Senate Finance Committee, would require the state to buy or build a new computerized income and identity verification system.

A closer examination of the proposal reveals several potential concerns, including evidence that the proposed database searches are likely to lead to false positives because they flag information that is flawed or irrelevant to eligibility.

While managed care holds the promise both to improve the quality of care Medicaid members receive and to reduce the costs the state incurs in administering the program, numerous questions associated with the contract must be answered in order for New Hampshire to achieve those goals. This Issue Brief does not offer a comprehensive list of such questions, but instead focuses on two areas: ensuring access to care for Medicaid members and assessing the effectiveness of managed care over time.

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Common Cents Blog

Investments in the operation, maintenance, and construction of transportation infrastructure in New Hampshire often draw from many different sources and funds. Decisions about financing mixes, timelines, projected interest costs, and the effects of deteriorating or enhanced transportation infrastructure at any level of government can all influence projects.